Resident wants hearing before blasting

Thursday

After performing work on Strawberry Hill Road, a blasting company has had its permit revoked and a Concord resident wants a public hearing before any work continues.

After launching a 12-pound rock dangerously close to Peng-Siu Mei and shattering a skylight with flying debris, the New Hampshire-based company Blastech Corp. has been ordered to stop all further work on a parcel of land abutting 828 Strawberry Hill Road. During the first blast, no one was injured. The individual blaster has reapplied for a permit from the Concord Fire Department.

After performing work on Strawberry Hill Road, a blasting company has had its permit revoked and a Concord resident wants a public hearing before any work continues.

After launching a 12-pound rock dangerously close to Peng-Siu Mei and shattering a skylight with flying debris, the New Hampshire-based company Blastech Corp. has been ordered to stop all further work on a parcel of land abutting 828 Strawberry Hill Road.

During the first blast, no one was injured.

The individual blaster has reapplied for a permit from the Concord Fire Department.

As of press time, the permit has not been reissued.

“We have required more information,” said Fire Chief Kenneth Willette.

Before the permit is reissued, however, Mei is hoping a public hearing can be coordinated between the blasting company, town officials and concerned neighbors. So far, Willette and Deputy Fire Chief Chris Kelley met with neighbors on April 24.

“We had a very thorough discussion. They raised several concerns,” said Willette.

A house formerly sat on the parcel of land located at 798 Strawberry Hill Road. Since the land was sold in 2003, the house has been demolished to make room for a new residence.

Blastech Corp. was hired to perform the necessary blasting work to clear and level the land for the foundation. After the first blast was detonated on April 4, rock and debris went flying into Mei’s adjacent yard and caused damage to his home and concern for his safety.

After the first round of blasting and since the revocation of the permit, a notice of violation has been filed with the state’s Fire Marshal Office and $100 fine has been imposed on the individual blaster, said Willette.

Since the permit has been revoked, Blastech Corp. has resubmitted the application and blasting plans with a different individual blaster.

According to Willette, an individual or general contractor looking to use explosives to clear a site for construction needs to contract a blasting company that is already licensed with the state’s Fire Marshal Office. The blasting company is only licensed to pull the permit and transport explosives.

An individual blaster also bears a license with the office. The blaster is responsible for drilling the holes, loading the explosives and detonating the materials.

Willette said the former individual blaster has been found in violation, not the company.

However, as a direct abutter, Mei said changing the individual blaster is not the solution.

According to a letter delivered to town officials, Mei’s septic system tank is extremely close to the common lot line, and as blasting moves closer to eliminate a ledge, it could potentially be in danger.

Environmental Health Inspector Stan Sosnicki said the health department has reviewed the blasting plans because of the proximity to the abutter’s septic tank.

“Based on the neighbor’s concern, I was asked to look over it,” said Sosnicki. According to Sosnicki, the septic tank has not been addressed in the blasting plans yet.

“I did look it up under the blasting regulations and definitely those are things that should be addressed in their plan,” said Sosnicki.

According to Sosnicki, the septic tank is incorporated into the plans by requiring an examination of the system component for any damage or disruption after the blasting.

Mei is also concerned about the increasing proximity of the blast to his residence.

Marcia Rasmussen, director of planning and land management, said the new house is subject to regulations of a zoning and building permit, and the structure is not violating the mandatory distances from lot lines.

The Mei residence is approximately 65 feet from the common lot line. The first blast, which caused damage to the skylight and scattering of debris, was one of the furthest blasts from the house. According to a letter written by Mei’s attorney, the upcoming blasts get closer to the house and may be as close as 75 feet.

According to Willette, further requirements before the permit is reissued include limiting the amount of explosives in each hold and the number of overall blasts. Also, more blasting mats may be required, which reduce the amount of “fly rock” and debris sent into the air.

Willette said he expects the permit to be resubmitted for review at the end of this week.